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Thursday, January 15, 2004
Gov’t, NDF agree to hold formal talks in February
THE government has agreed to release political prisoners and support the indemnification of human rights victims during the Marcos era as part of confidence-building measures for the formal talks with the National Democratic Front (NDF) in February.
Malacañang Wednesday released a copy of the joint statement signed by Silvestre Bello III and Luis Jalandoni, chairmen of the peace panels of the government and the NDF, respectively, on the resumption of the formal talks.
The joint statement said the formal talks will resume in February “in a foreign neutral venue mutually acceptable to the parties in accordance with the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (Jasig) and in consultation with the third party facilitator (Norway).”
It was not immediately known how many political prisoners or detainees would be released but the agreement said these were the ones recommended by the government in 2001 subject to update by Karapatan and other human rights organizations.
Government’s support for the indemnification of Marcos era human rights victims includes the passage of a bill allotting at least P8 billion from around $630 million recovered from the Marcos ill-gotten wealth.
“The two panels shall discuss and agree during the formal talks on specific and effective measures to protect the rights of the successful plaintiffs in the Marcos human rights litigation and expedite payment of compensation to them on a best effort basis,” the statement said.
Both panels also agreed to resolve the linking of the CPP-NPA-NDF and its chief political consultant Jose Ma. Sison to terrorist activities using The Hague Joint Declaration, Jasig, and other bilateral agreements.
The NDF negotiators, consultants, staffers and other representatives in the peace talks are protected by laws and agreements on political offenses.
Bello earlier said the NDF negotiators and consultants are free to travel as they are covered by the Jasig.
Upon resumption of the formal talks, the Joint Monitoring Committee will be formed and the Reciprocal Working Committees on Social and Economic Reforms will resume their work.
The peace negotiations with the NDF are still stuck on the subject of socio-economic issues. Both panels still have to take up political and constitutional reforms and cessation of hostilities. SCT
(January 15, 2004 issue)
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